PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.19 No.3, January 22, 2026 Article TypePolicy NotesQuickStatsSurveillance Reports

• Surveillance Reports 2026-01-22

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  Incidence and Epidemiological Features of Syphilis in Busan Metropolitan City, Ulsan Metropolitan City, and Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea, 2024

  Ji Hae Hwang , Jieun Aum , Ki Seok Kim , Hyeokjin Lee , Sang-Eun Lee

  Public Health Weekly Report 2026; 19(3): 111-131 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2026.19.3.1

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: Following Republic of Korea’s reintroduction of mandatory syphilis surveillance in 2024, this study aimed to characterize the reported syphilis cases in the Gyeongnam region (encompassing Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongsangnam-do) during the initial year of this transition.
  Methods: We analyzed 383 syphilis cases reported to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s Integrated Disease Surveillance System from January 1 to December 31, 2024, among individuals whose registered residence was in the Gyeongnam region. Case reports and epidemiologic investigation records were summarized by sex, age group, administrative area, and disease stage. The incidence per 100,000 population was calculated using mid-year resident population data from Ministry of Data and Statistics.
  Results: Of the 383 reported cases, 244 (63.7%) occurred in Busan, 106 (27.7%) in Gyeongsangnam-do, and 33 (8.6%) in Ulsan. Males constituted 279 cases (72.8%). The most affected age group was 20–29 years (125 cases, 32.6%), followed by 30–39 years (96 cases, 25.1%) and 40–49 years (62 cases, 16.2%). Among respondents who answered the question on sexual contact in the past 12 months (300 cases, 79.0%), 174 (45.8%) reported having engaged in sexual contact.
  Conclusions: The overall patterns observed were consistent with national trends; however, the proportion of tertiary syphilis and the incidence rate were higher than the national averages. These findings may indicate the progression of previously acquired infections and delayed diagnoses rather than a recent increase in new infections. The limited response regarding risk factors constrains the interpretation of transmission routes, underscoring the necessity for enhanced investigations and the continuous accumulation of surveillance data.

• Surveillance Reports 2026-01-22

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  Final Results of the Korea Infant Physical Growth Examination Survey (2020–2024)

  Sungha Yun , Doyeon Kim , Kyungwon Oh *

  Public Health Weekly Report 2026; 19(3): 132-153 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2026.19.3.2

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: Growth charts for children and adolescents serve as essential references for assessing growth status, including underweight and obesity. The most recent version, the 2017 Korean National Growth Chart (2017 Growth Chart), has been used nationwide. This study aimed to present the results of the Korea Infant Physical Growth Examination Survey (2020–2024) conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency to support the establishment of growth standards based on domestic anthropometric data.
  Methods: This study analyzed anthropometric measurements obtained from infants aged 0–23 months and compared the results with the 2017 Growth Chart, which adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) Growth Standards.
  Results: The median and key percentile values (length at the 3rd and 97th percentiles; weight at the 5th and 95th percentiles; and weight-for-length at the 5th and 95th percentiles) were generally higher than those of the 2017 Growth Chart across most age groups but converged to similar levels at approximately 22–23 months of age. Z-scores based on the 2017 Growth Chart were generally positive, and breastfed infants showed values closer to the reference standards.
  Conclusions: This study represents the first longitudinal investigation to collect standardized anthropometric data for Korean infants and provides a valuable resource for future research on infant growth and development in the Republic of Korea. Decisions regarding the continued application of the WHO Growth Standards in the upcoming 2027 Growth Chart will be made following a comprehensive review, including longitudinal analyses of cohort data, evaluation of national anthropometric datasets, and expert consultation.

• Policy Notes 2026-01-22

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  Incorporation of an Online Self-Administered Dietary Behavior Survey into the 10th Cycle of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2025–2027)

  Leena Yoon , Sungha Yun , Kyungwon Oh

  Public Health Weekly Report 2026; 19(3): 154-170 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2026.19.3.3

  

  

  Abstract

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  Objectives: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) introduced self-administered online surveys to adapt to changing survey environments, improve participant convenience, and ensure continuous data collection during infectious disease outbreaks. This report describes major modifications to the dietary behavior survey in the 10th cycle of the KNHANES (2025–2027) following the implementation of the new online self-administered survey method.
  Methods: Existing dietary behavior questions were revised to improve respondent comprehension and self-response accuracy, and new items were developed to address topics relevant to policy planning and research guidance. All revised and new items underwent cognitive and validity testing and were finalized following expert consultation.
  Results: Items regarding breakfast frequency, dietary supplement use, nutrition education or counseling, nutrition labeling, and fruit intake frequency were retained but revised to fit the self-administered format with added explanatory notes and visual aids. Items related to lunch and dinner frequency, meal companions, vegetable intake, and current supplement type and dose were excluded because of limited utility and to reduce the risk of response bias. The dining-out frequency question was deleted because of low respondent comprehension and questionable validity. Three new questions regarding restaurant dining frequency; frequency of meat, fish, eggs, and legume consumption; and frequency of milk and dairy product consumption were introduced.
  Conclusions: The 10th KNHANES Dietary Behavior Survey was redesigned to facilitate online self-administration. Concurrently, questions were modified or added to address social and environmental changes and to enhance the applicability, continuity, and representativeness of future national dietary surveys.

• QuickStats 2026-01-22

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  Ratio of Nutrient Intake to Dietary Reference Intakes by Nutrient, 2024

  Leena Yoon

  Public Health Weekly Report 2026; 19(3): 171-172 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2026.19.3.4

  

  

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